Builders have always had that reputation…you know…I probably don’t have to explain. But time after time, we see evidence of their humanity.
The Crumley Group, Inc. Charity House In Progress
The other side of that “cigar-smoking, Cadillac-driving profiteers” as I once heard us described. I mean, come on, who doesn’t tear up at Extreme Home Makeover? Who hasn’t put a few hours behind a paintbrush at a Habitat for Humanity home? Deep down, I think most people probably don’t think quite so badly about builders. But it’s still fun party talk.
But somewhere deep down, there’s a special connection to “home”. While housing has occasionally become the investment du jour, more times than not when we’re thinking of plopping down our hard-earned dollars for a piece of the real estate pie, it’s with thoughts of Thanksgiving dinners crammed around a too-small table or the look of a child’s face as they come downstairs on Christmas morning, and not the ROI we anticipate on the flip. Housing does that to us. It touches us in a very deep and personal way, all the way down to where our fond memories lie.
The word “home” certainly means something different to everyone. But there’s a special home that I think deserves some recognition. It’s the St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children in Norfolk, VA. The work they do there is probably not work you or I could do. And they do it with such a deep level of caring and compassion that you can’t help but be moved when you witness it. That’s what happened to Scott Crumley of the Crumley Group. After laboring for many years as one of the region’s top custom builders, one who rarely sought the limelight or public eye, Scott decided it was time to do something different. He was moved by seeing the great work done at St. Mary’s and he wanted to help. So he did something he hadn’t done before – he dove in and committed to HOMEARAMA 2010 at East Beach. And then he went a step further – he committed to building the Charity House, with proceeds to benefit St. Mary’s Home for Disabled Children. And I’ve never seen him more excited about a building project!
I know Scott well enough to know that not only will this be one of the premier craftsman homes in the show, but it will be a home built with love and commitment. Because he knows what’s at the end of the line. Not just a very happy future homeowner, but some more lives enhanced, and changed, at St. Mary’s. I’m hoping you’ll take just a minute to go to the St. Mary’s website to get a feel for the good work they do there. Then I hope you’ll ask yourself, “How can I help?”. Well, I have an idea for you. Help us spread the word. If you are on Facebook, search for Crumley Group’s 2010 Charity House at East Beach. Become a Fan. And spread the word to everyone you know to do the same. I’d like to see us hit our goal of 1,000 Fans by the time the show opens.
There’s an old adage in this business that rings truer today than ever: nothing happens until something gets sold. My meager contribution to this worthy endeavor is to see if I can expose enough people to Scott’s creation that a buyer will come forth. Not only will they get their dream home in one of our area’s most impressive neighborhoods, but they’ll go to sleep at night knowing they’ve helped beyond measure. The kind of night’s sleep we should all get to experience now and then. So come on, lend a hand – with that mouse sitting there to your right – and spread the word. Thanks!